Lynx Training Academy has launched at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, expanding access to essential learning disability and autism training for health and social care professionals across South Yorkshire and beyond.
Operating from the training and meeting facilities at Steel City Stadium, Lynx Training Academy is one of a limited number of NHS-approved providers in the region, helping to expand access to high quality, compliant training, aligned with national standards and Care Quality Commission requirements.
Lynx Training Academy is committed to ensuring that all organisations, and all staff required to undertake Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, can access both Tier 1 and Tier 2 provision. This is key to helping providers meet legal duties, strengthen workforce capability, and improve understanding of learning disability and autism across services and communities.
The Academy works in partnership with organisations including Mencap, Opportunity Sheffield and Empower, Access, Thrive. This approach embeds experts with lived experience as professional co-trainers who bring knowledge, insight and voices that are essential to improving outcomes across health and social care. This authentic co-production provides credible and effective learning, strengthening compliance while creating genuine social value through meaningful employment and community inclusion.
Sharon Wilson, Managing Director at Lynx Training Academy, said: “We’re proud to launch at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. Our focus is simple – make high quality, compliant training accessible and impactful. By increasing access to Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, we’re helping organisations build confident teams and deliver better care.
“Being based at the Park places us at the heart of a community focused on health, wellbeing, education and innovation. The location means we’re easily accessible from across the region and the fantastic facilities at Steel City Stadium provide an ideal environment for high-quality, interactive learning.
“And the good news is that funding is available through NHS England. Most health and social care providers can claim back their training costs, helping organisations meet their legal obligations without placing unnecessary strain on budgets.”
Claire Fretwell, Operations Manager at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Lynx Training Academy to the Park. Their work aligns closely with our values and supports the improvement of health and wellbeing through education and collaboration. We look forward to working with Lynx and supporting them on their journey.”
Joseph Udall, spokesperson for Scarborough Group International, developer of Steel City Stadium and delivery partner for the next phase of Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, said:“Steel City Stadium offers a multi-purpose environment for organisations working across sport, health, wellbeing, education and innovation.
“Alongside sport and community use of the 3G pitch and grandstand, the Stadium building has become a base for businesses, training providers, meetings, events and collaboration, bringing together a wide range of organisations within a single location.
“The use of the Stadium by Lynx Training Academy reflects the growing demand for high-quality, flexible space within Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and the role the Stadium is playing as part of the wider innovation ecosystem developing across the site.”
The launch of the Academy provides support to strengthen the region’s health and social care workforce, improving access to essential training, and delivering more informed and person-centred care across South Yorkshire and beyond.
For more information about Lynx Training Academy and upcoming courses, visit:
www.lynxtrainingacademy.co.uk
